The loss of Jerusalem

Build up to the Third Crusade

When did Saladin launch first military campaign on the crusader states?

Autumn 1177

Why was Saladin’s attack fail?

• Saladin didn’t have the resources to put Jerusalem under siege and he was defeated by Reynald, Baldwin and the Templars at the Battle of Montgisard

• Saladin was forced to flee and was deeply humiliated

Why did Baldwin begin to build Jacob’s Ford in the summer of 1179?

He built over the crossing over the River Jordan which separated Christian Palestine and Muslim Syria - threat to Damascus

How did Saladin try to resolve the threat of Jacob’s Ford initially?

He wanted to pay the crusader states off but Baldwin refused

When did Saladin launch an attack on Jacob’s Ford?

Aug 1179

What was the outcome of Saladin’s attack on Jacob’s Ford?

It was completely destroyed

When did Saladin launch another attack on the crusader port of Beirut using the Egyptian Army?

Summer of 1182

In October 1183, what occurred which caused Saladin to lead an offensive on Jerusalem?

Chatillion attacked a muslim caravan across the Red Sea and Guy of Lusignan’s forces (Baldwin’s regent and brother in law) didn’t engage in battle but retreated diplomatically but Guy was then stripped as regent.

When was the Battle of Hattin?

1187

Who took over the military when Guy de Lusignan was replaced?

Raymond III of Tripoli for 10 years

When did Baldwin IV die and who was crowned?

He died in 1185 and Baldwin V was crowned (too young) - Raymond III was regent

How did Sibylla manage to outmanoeuvre Raymond?

The nobles said that she could run Jerusalem but only is she divorced Guy but she got to pick her next husband. After she divorced Guy, she remarried him and they became the new monarchs of Jerusalem

How was Guy’s truce with Saladin broken?

The truce was broken by Reynald de Chaitllon in 1186 when he attacked a Muslim caravan - Saladin asked for compensation and Guy agreed but Reynald refused making conflict inevitable

What did Raymond of Tripoli do once war seemed inevitable?

He renewed his truce with Saladin due to his opposition of Guy. However he made peace with Guy after Saladin’s son killed most of the Knights Templar

What did Saladin do in preparation of the conflict?

He called on troops from Aleppo and Mosul and his army was the largest the Muslim forces ever commanded.

Where were the crusaders called to go?

They were called to meet at Acre - most of these troops were the Military Orders

What did the wealth from England help Guy to do?

Hire mercenaries helping with manpower

When did Saladin take Tiberias and what was the impact?

1187 - Saladin took Tiberias and captured Raymond’s wife and children

Why did Raymond not want to attack Saladin?

The heat would have made them very weak against Saladin

Who wanted to attack Saladin and accused Raymond of being paid off by Saladin?

Reynald and Gerald of Ridfort (Grand Master of the Templars)

What did Guy decide to do?

He changed his mind twice but eventually believed that they should attack and they camped on the well watered side and marched to Tiberias

What was the main struggle for the crusaders?

They didn’t have enough access to water and they had to halt on the slopes of the Horns of Hattin. The wells there were dry and Saladin’s army set fire to the scrubs meaning the smoke engulfed the crusaders.

What occurred at the end of the Battle of Hattin?

Overnight Saladin’s forced surrounded Guy’s forces - they were defeated and put up little defence - Raymond’s troops charged out to the troops and were then cut off from the battle and had to leave

What was the outcome of the Battle of Hattin?

• Saladin spared Guy but killed Reynald de Chatillon and the military orders were slaughtered

• There were very low numbers of crusaders left

• Saladin took Acre, Ascalon and after a two week siege, Jerusalem

• Guy and Sibylla were released and the West were shocked but pilgrims could still arrive

Which states/areas did the crusaders still have?

Tripoli, Antioch and Tyre

Why were the crusaders beaten: Lack of western aid

In 1181, the Templars sent envoys to England and France but they didn’t want to commit to a crusade and the Pope blamed the crusader’s failure on their sinfulness. The crusaders even sent the Grand Masters of the Military Orders but no help was given.

Why were the crusaders beaten: Lack of Byzantine aid

In 1180, Manuel I died and Andronicus I showed little interest in helping the crusaders - the Byzantines were going through internal struggles and Andronicus made a deal with Saladin to not help the crusaders in turn for protection against the Seljuks.

Why were the crusaders beaten: Lack of help Antioch

The crusaders had no allies to the West of Saladin. Bohemond III’s poor reputation out Antioch in unstable position. He also made a deal with Saladin to secure his territory